Conor McGregor: Dana White reveals retirement plans
UFC president Dana White is seemingly prepared for life without Conor McGregor.
Conor McGregor, UFC lightweight champion
McGregor, 29, hasn't set foot inside the Octagon in over 14 months, much to the frustration of many.
The Irishman's last outing inside the cage saw him claim the UFC lightweight title with an emphatic second-round TKO victory over Eddie Alvarez.
McGregor's only outing since that historic night at Madison Square Garden was his much-maligned boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr, which he lost via a tenth-round TKO.
Throughout the build-up to Mayweather vs McGregor, there were suggestions the latter could retire from the fight game due to his staggering payday, which is understood to have been well in excess of £100m.
That notion has been reinforced by his failure to reveal his plans for his long-awaited return to the Octagon, which has threatened to prematurely end his reign as lightweight champion.
Should McGregor decide to never fight again, he will leave a huge void in the UFC, who at this moment in time don't have a star capable of emulating the Irishman's pay-per-view success.
Shirtless Richard Branson squares off with Conor McGregor
I was already making plans for Conor to never come back
White is well aware of that fact but is adamant the promotion will continue to be a success without 'The Notorious'.
"In any sport; be it the NBA, NFL, hockey or whatever, no one guy can hold the whole sport hostage,” White said during an appearance on The Toucher and Rich Show. That just doesn't happen.
"When Conor was getting ready for the Mayweather fight, I was already making plans for Conor to never come back.
Dana White is prepared for life without Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor hasn't set foot inside the Octagon in nearly 14 months
"The company and business goes on. There will be other stars.
"The NBA didn't pack it up when Jordan left and they won't when LeBron leaves either.”